| From the perspective of Earth System Sciences the course explores geologic processes active on and in the Earth, and human interactions with them. Viewing the oceans, lands, and atmosphere as an integrated system, the course examines geologic aspects of plate tectonics, the development and evolution of life, processes that maintain or threaten habitability, climate change, geological hazards and theories for critical events in Earth history such as mass extinctions. The emphasis is on changes occurring during the current period of human influence with respect to development of energy and natural resources: the Anthropocene. |
